Baby Owls, Picnics, Friends: Reasons to volunteer at Myakka River State Park

I had heard there was a large Barred Owl hanging out in an oak tree at the Clay Gully picnic area.  The announcement came from Anne, a volunteer, who announced it's presence for the benefit of anyone wanting to see an owl. Later that day, Tom, another volunteer, bicycled by to show me his treasure photos.  I could only marvel as the owls had eluded me this year. Figuring the owls would leave before I arrived, I skipped the (bicycle) pedal to Clay Gully. But, the following day a park guest shared the news that the owl was still in the area.  OK, three notices in 24 hours, time to cycle up for a look. 

Air Plant Blooming
At Clay Gully

Sure enough, I could not find the owl.  Not to worry, Clay Gully has a magic peacefulness.  And the trees and air plants always make this a worthwhile trip.  

A few days later, Sunday, the early morning mist promises this will be an unforgettable day.  It was also to be an owl day, from a nature walk just after sunrise to sunset. Being free today, I opted for an early morning walk. 

A favorite walk

It was a symphony of bird calls and appropriate for my last Sunday in the park. It seemed the owls were calling from every branch but they still eluded my view.  Ah yes, I did see and hear many song birds but my quest was an owl.  No visible owl.

Immature Cardinal

Later in the day we attended the Volunteer Appreciation Picnic at the Clay Gully picnic area. You know, that magically peaceful area.

Picnic Attendees

This annual event is graciously hosted by the Friends of Myakka RiverState Park. Sunday afternoon was perfect from the weather to the food and 'family'. Now, entertainment is often provided at a 'company' picnic but what do you present at a State Park event? Nature of course... and she delivered with the required short picnic shower, a few flying insects, song birds and a baby owl.

The STAR

That huge owl residing in a Clay Gully oak tree was a mom!  Earlier in the day one of the owlets wanted out of the nest and hopped out on a palm frond. By picnic time there are several photographers with huge lens cameras trained on the tree. You can't help but see the baby owl. 

The acrobat

The little owl was a clown and acrobat as it teetered out on the palm frond.  It accepted a lift from a rescuer back into it's nest but promptly jumped back out of the hole (nest) and onto the palm. A naturalist said to me, “I doubted it would stay in the nest.” 
Well, it continued it's acrobatics and eventually lost grip on the palm stem and floated to the ground.  Undaunted, it righted itself and started exploring.  Ranger Lisa decided it was time to intervene so she placed the owl on the trunk of the oak tree.  Yes it crawled towards home and mom owl who observed the entire show. Yes, rangers know of what they speak, nature can be quite entertaining.

It is now early evening and Mother Nature has not wrapped up shop for the day.  As we pedaled home the cry of a baby owl was heard so we stopped. 

Owl Pair awaiting dinner

There in the top of dead palm tree at the Bird Walk (how appropriate) were two baby owls. Across the road was a parent, another Barred Owl with a snake in it's talons. Unfortunately, the adult was easily spooked so their dinner would be delayed a bit.

Yes it was a beautiful day filled with our park family, nature, baby owls, and the hooting call, “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?”.